How to Make Rosaries

Unlike Roman Catholic rosaries which are made up of five ‘decades’ or sections of ten beads each, our rosaries are made up of septads or sections of seven beads each, similar to Anglican rosaries. An Anglican rosary has four ‘weeks’ of septads or four sections of seven. If an Anglican rosary is used, one simply reuses the first septad section for the Fifth Mystery of the Janite Deanic Rosary or one would reuse the first three septads section in the Janati rosary. Most people find it is simply easier to make their own. The internet has many resources for instructions.

Good quality beads may be found in craft stores and online. My favorite source is Firemountaingems.com (USA). They offer a free catalog that usually has almost five hundred pages of high quality beads, jewelry and rosary making supplies at very reasonable prices.

While not required, many of us add the Five main Symbols of our Faith to our rosaries which may be found as charms on Etsy. These are the Apple, the North Star, the Dove, the Rose and the Fora. (The Fora is a equi-distant solar cross where the four rays extend beyond the circle. A Celtic Knot cross may also be used.) If using the Symbol charms, the larger beads are not necessary with the exception of the centerpiece bead.

How to Make a Janite Mysteries Rosary (5 x septads or sections of seven beads):

I use a 25 pound test line (fishing line) to string the beads. Rosary wire or links may also be used.

5 x septads or sections of seven beads

I begin by stringing the first septad. String the Apple charm or large bread, followed by three seed beads and seven regular beads. Add three more seed beads and that ends the first septad or section.

Next, place the Star charm or large bread after the last three seed beads. After the Star Charm, place three seed beads and the seven regular beads followed by three more seed beads. This ends the second septad or section.

Place the Fora charm or large bead after the last three seed beads followed by three seed beads and seven regular beads. Place the last three seed beads and this ends the third septad or section.

Place the Dove charm or large bead after the last three seed beads followed by three more seed beads and the seven regular beads. Place the final three seed beads and the fourth septad or section is complete.

Place the Rose charm or large bead after the previous three seed beads. Add the seven regular beads and the final three seed beads. This ends the fifth septad or section.

Push the beads towards the center so that you have a good few inches of line extending beyond the beginning of the first and the end of the last. Cut the side of the line that is still attached to the roll and try to even out the lengths on each side. Thread both ends of the line through the centerpiece bead. Then, string three regular beads and add the Fora, North Star Charm, Triquetra, icon or medal of Our Lady, Angel (Jana), a goddess pendant or holy symbol of your choice for the beginning of the rosary. Secure or knot the line. These rosaries are very sturdy and do not break easily.

How to Make a Janae Mantra Rosary (7 x septads or sections of seven beads):

For the Janae Mantra Rosary, you make it in the same way, except with seven, rather than five sections. For charms, a Sun charm is used for the septade in honor of Madria Thea and a Moon charm is used for the septad in honor of Madria Candra.

7 x septads or sections of seven beads

Another option is to make a ‘wrist’ rosary consisting of one septads or sections of seven beads.